Washrngton



SETH CHENEY, OF KIANTONE, NEW YORK.

FIELD-FENCE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 22,702, dated January 25, 1859.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETH CHENEY, of Kiantone, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented a new form of post-and-rail fence differing essentially in its general characteristics and manner of construction from any fence made of post-s and rails or similar materials now in use. This style of fence I call Cheneys Improved Post-and-Rail Fence; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings, making a part of this specification.

Figure l, is a perspective view of these sections or panels of my fence with a gate thereto attached, exhibiting the manner in which it is constructed, and its general characteristics, and also showing some variations in the construction of the panels, which will be more particularly noticed hereafter. Fig. 2, is a perspective view of one of my posts, when the whole section or panel is made of rails, poles, or boards. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of one of my posts, so constructed as to be placed over a low stone wall or a mound of earth, and used with only two or three rails in a panel.

The letters in the specification refer to similar letters in the drawings.

To enable farmers and others to make and use my improved fence, I proceed to describe its several parts and the manner of its construction.

The letters A, A, A, A, represent two sticks or pieces of timber which may be either sawed or split and about six feet eight inches in length, but may be varied in length according to the height intended for the fence. The size of these pieces of timber may also be varied according to the judgment of the builder. i t is believed, that sticks two and a half inches thick and two and a half inches wide, will be sufticient-ly large. Then sticks or pieces of timber are laid across each other in such a manner that the ends which rest on the ground will be about six feet apart, leaving about one foot and a half of each piece above the point of intersection. They may be fastened, at the point of intersection by means of spikes or pins or bolt and screw or by cutting a mortise in each, so that when laid across each other they will dovetail or match together. Q

The letters a, a, &c., represent strips of board or timber fastened to the legs of the posts with nails or pins. These serve to strengthen the posts, and the rails hereinafter described may be laid upon them as supports, instead of the loops hereinafter described, if preferred by the builder.

Letters 5, Z), represent cross strips of board, &c., or cleats attached to the legs of the posts A, A, and to the strips a., a, which will be found useful in keeping the rails steady and in place when loops are not used.

Letters c, 0, c, &c., represent loops of iron wire, which may be attached to the posts by hooks, nails or pins, or by twisting the wire around the legs of the posts at their intersection. In these loops, all or a part of the rails forming the panel may be suspended, as best suits the builder.

Letters B, B, B, B, represent the rails of the fence, and which may consist of any number the builder may deem necessary. In ordinary cases, four rails will be found amply sufhcient, and when timber is scarce one or more of the lower rails may be dispensed with by plowing a few deep furrows in the line of the contemplated fence and raising a low mound of earth. Then convenient, and the materials are at hand, a low stone wall may be used in place of the lower rails. The top rails, as shown by the drawings, instead of being suspended in the loops. will be placed in the crossings of the legs of the posts.

Letters c, c, c, e, represent lock railsior poles, also inserted in the crossings of the legs of the posts, and which serve the double purpose of keeping the top rails in place and of strengthening the fence. These lock-rails most effectually protect the fence from the action of winds, and prevent its being thrown down by animals.

Letter D, represents an ordinary gate and the manner in which it may be readily attached to the fence.

A few brief remarks may here be proper in respect to the general principles of my improvements, the uses to which they may be applied, and the ends to be accomplished thereby. A slight inspection of the model or drawings shows that the peculiar form and construction of the posts has been adopted with reference to their standing on the ground and not in it. This arrangement secures several important points in fencemaking. A fence constructed on this plan is much more durable than an ordinary post and rail fence. Every farmer who has used the common post and rail fences is aware that one of the greatest objections to them is the rotting olf of the posts at or just below the surface of the ground. By my improvements, the effects produced by frost and moisture are obviated, and the evils resulting from the rotting` of the posts avoided. A fence on this plan will also be found economical. While it Will be equal in strength and durability to the ordinary Worm or crooked rail fence7 it can be made at much less expense. The quantity of materials used Will be much less, and it Will be readily seen that in a fence of this description poles or boards may be used as Well as rails, when rails cannot ready be obtained. TWhen boards are used, the posts should be constructed with cleats Z), to which the boards should be nailed or otherwise fastened. Another advantage Which Will be gained by constructing a fence on this plan, Will be the ease by which it can be removed from one place to another, as convenience may require. It is in fact a portable fence, and that quality will be found one of its especial advantages.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- I claim the particular construction of panels and its combination With the rails in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

SETH CHENEY.

Witnesses:

A. HAZELTINE, C. G. CLARK. 

